Heavy duty snap switch



April-17,1945, Es I 2,3735681 HEAVY DUTY SNAP SWITCH Filed Aug. 25, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet INV ENT0R. NORMAN L. HEIKES ATTORNEY 7 April 17, 1945. I 4 E I 2,373,681

HEAVY DUTY SNAP swn cn' Filed Aug. 23, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BAG INVENTOR.

NORMAN L. HEIKES ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 17, 1945' HEAVY DUTY SNAP swrron Norman L. Heikes, West End, N. J.

1 Application August 23, 1944, :Serial No. 550.8151

10 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Governmentfor governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to snap action switches and has for its primary object the provision of a compact and heavycurrent carrying mechanism of this character.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch, of the type set forth hereinbefore, having a large throw despite its compact size.

A further object of this invention in conjunction with the last named object' is to provide an instantaneous make andv break mechanism of simple but rugged design.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a switch mechanism which eliminates the flow of current in the spring mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a-switch of the type first described which will Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the housing and an open view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3depicts a side elevation of part of the leaf spring and its supporting means together with adjusting means.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show, respectively, top plan and end elevation of the leaf spring and its supporting means. a

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a contact support.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a leaf spring in one embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a leaf spring in an alternative embodiment.

provide low contact resistance due to heavy contact pressure.

An ideal attainment in snap switches of the type'to be described in this specification would be the reduction to a minimum of the time interval between contact position and no-contact position. Inasmuch as compromise must exist between the shortest time interval obtainable in a switch of this type and the inertia introduced by the weight of the movable contact, the time in-' terval between contact and non-contact will be controlled by these factors. simple and rugged parts, this invention attains an efliciency which will provide a switch, compact in structure, capable of handling large electrical currents, and having a minimum time'lap'se between contact and no-contact position. The ability of the invention to handle large currents,

- without loss of spring action efilciency, is due to the fact that the current handled by said invention does not pass thru the spring mechanism but bypasses same. I

With these and other objects in view, many of which will become apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the invention resides in the novel method, steps, elements, arrangement of parts in cooperative relation, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims, and exemplified in the practical embodiments of the device hereindescribed as follows: l

Fig. 1 illustrates an open ment of the assembled invention, and a crossscction of the housing.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the means used to constrain the spring member.

Figs. 10 and 11, respectively, illustrate the mode of operation of the invention.

Referring'more particularly to Fig. 1, vention comprises supporting means 3 afiixed within the housing I2, said supporting means 3 including a vertical portion 5, said vertical portion being formed by bending to define aright angle to the longer portion which is aflixed within By combination of I the housing 12.- A narrow aperture 8 of reotangular configuration is positioned with its longer axis along the longitudinal axis of the aforesaid vertical portion 5.

Pi'votally aflixed to the housing l2 in a position opposite to the vertical portion 5 is a toggle member 2. Afilxed to said toggle member 2 is the longer arm of a leaf spring I of generally J-shaped configuration. The other end of the longer arm 1 of said leaf spring is passed through the aperture IS in contact support 6 and-the aperture 8 in the vertical portion 5 of aforementioned supporting means 3.

At the point where the longer arm of the leaf spring I enters the aperture 8, the said leaf spring is provided with shoulders 23, Fig. 7, along the edge thereof, which means prevent the continu ed passage of the leaf spring 1 thru aperture 8 I, from the end amxed to the toggle member 2 and,

This difference in'length causes the leaf spring,

view of one embodiand coact to bow the said leaf spring as will be explained hereinafter.

The length of the longer arm of the leaf spring the point of the shoulders 28,is longer than the distance between the vertical portion 5 of the supporting member 3 and the point at which the leaf spring is attached to the toggle member 2.

to assume a bowed configuration under tension, the reason for this particular arrangement will be described further along.v

The leaf spring 1, following the inthe shoulders" a, l

forms a loop 4 and continues on as the shorter arm 9. Aflixed to the shorter arm 9 of the said leaf spring I is a contact support 6 of general T-shaped configuration.

The said contact support Fig. 6 is formed from an elongated strip in the following manner: one end of an elongated strip is bent at right angles to the main portion of said elongated strip to define a short vertical portion ill.

The head of said contact support is formed by folding back the elongated strip at the end opposite the vertical portion III to a point 13 which is intermediate the folded portion 14 and the short vertical portion it. At the point l3 the elongated strip is again bent at right angles to the so-called head of the T-shaped support so that it defines a stem l5.

An aperture l5 of rectangular configuration is transversely positioned in the stem I5. Another aperture ll of rectangular configuration is also transversely positioned in the vertical portion ill of the said contact support. In addition to the aforesaid apertures another aperture i8 is indicated in the folded end Id of the said T-shaped contact support.

Aperture I5 is sufficiently large to allow spring I to pass thru the equilibrium int (D Figs. 10, 11) without appreciably moving contact 6, thus insuring a rapid closing or opening action.

The longer arm of the leaf spring I is first passed thru the aperture 8 of the vertical portion 5 of said supporting memlber 3. By means of the aperture l6 in the stem [5 of the T-shaped support, said contact support 5 is slipped over the longer arm of the leaf spring I and in this position the shorter arm 9 of the said leaf spring is passed through the aperture ll provided in the slightly upturned end I0, andthence .into

the aperture It.

A short tab 3| on the end of the shorter arm 9 of the leaf spring I extends through the aperture l8 of the contact support 8 in a manner which prevents the said contact support from slipping off the end of the shorter arm 9 of said leaf spring I. The end of the longer arm of said leaf spring opposite the loop 4 is fastened to the toggle member 2 which in turn is pivotally afilxed to the housing i2 as hereinbefore described.

Fig. 2 depicts a second embodiment of the inventionwherein the switch mechanism is affixed within a pistol-grip type housing 24. Triggerlike actuating means are used to operate the bent at right angles to the main portion of said elongated member to define two vertical supports 5, 5A. Apertures 8 of rectangular configuration,

are provided in the aforesaid vertical supports 5, 5A to loosely encompass the longer arm of said leaf spring I when same is passed therethrough.

The longer portion 3 immediately adjacent to the. housing 12 is bowed slightly in an upward direction from the housing l2.

The supporting means 3 are aflixed to the housing l2 by means of rivets 35 adjacent the ends 5 and 5A. In the center of the longer portion of said support 3 a threaded member 34 is screwed into a threaded aperture provided therefor.

To adjust the chord of the bowed configuration of leaf spring I it is only necessary to adjust the threaded member 34, said adjustments causing the distance between the supports 5, 5A to vary, as indicated by the broken lines 3A, 5B, 5C and 1A. By this simple expedient the chord of the bowed leaf spring is varied and this in turn regulates the pressure between contacts i9 and 20.

In this particular embodiment of the support ing means, pins 29 are placed in apertures 32 in a manner more .clearly illustrated in Fig. 9. The apertures 32, Figs. '7 and 8, are large enough to accommodate the largest diameter of the [pins 29. However, the annular groove 30 of the pins 29 is made smaller in diameter than the aperture 32.

This arrangement permits a loose fit for the pins 29 and allows the pins'29 to adjust themselves against the inner surface of the vertical supports 5, 5A. In addition, the tension of spring I at apertures 32 against grooves 30 retains the pins 29 in position.

The use of pins 29, as a means for bowing the leaf spring 1 instead of using a leaf spring hav- 40 ing two shoulders 23, as illustrated in Fig. 7, along contact i9 to exert equal pressures on the entire surface of said contacts 20 and to prevent the switch mechanism. In this particular embodiment, the trigger member 25 is attached to the longer arm of the leaf spring I at a point intermediate the supporting member 5A of the T- shaped contact support 5. A helical spring 25 is placed within a well 21 in the triggermember 25, said spring 26 resting against an abutment 28 in the pistol-grip housing 24, coacts to restore the longer arm of the leaf spring 1 to an open contact position. In effect, this arrangement produces a momentary contact switch. In this particular embodiment the leaf spring I is held in a bowed position between the vertical supports 5, 5A of the spring supporting means 3. The arrangements of the other parts'of this invention, as they relate to this particular embodiment, are the same as described for Fig. 1. v

An alternative method for supporting the leaf spring 1 and in addition providing means for adlusting said support is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, respectively in elevation, top and end view.

As illustrated, the leaf spring support is formed from a flat elongated member, both ends being contacts from rocking against each other during the transitional stages of switch operation, thus preventing arcing between the surfaces of contacts l9 and 2.9.

The operation of the switch is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. Pressure at point A Fig. 10 in the direction indicated will cause point B to move, initially, in the opposite direction due to the fact that a downward thrust at point A Fig. 10 tends to straighten spring 1 in the region about point A, thus forcing said spring to assume a more curved configuration at point B Fig. 10. Point C will follow in the same direction as B, since point C is a continuation of spring 1 from point B thru aperture 9.

Thus the contactor l9 will be held away from the contacts 20 during the initial motion of the spring 1. After point E has moved thru the central position D in the direction indicated in Fig. 10, the spring 1 will suddenly snap into position illustrated in Fig. 11, striking the contacts 20 a sharp blow accompanied by a small swiping action as the switch closes. 7

At this juncture it will be noted that points B tion and tact pressure can be varied 'by increasing the ture l6 on'the contact support 6 a sharp blow.

causing the contact I! tobe instantaneously withdrawn from the contacts 20. tion B has changed its direction of travel and is moving upward and follows in the same direcaids the opening of the switch. The conthickness of the spring 1 and the throw varied [by increasing .the bow of the springas hereinbefore described.

While are the preferred'e'mbodiments of this invention,

it .will be apparent that other mechanical uses of the device will occur to those skilled in the art as, for example, it is possible to increase the contact pressure by the use of a laminated type of leaf spring instead of the single leaf spring hereinlbefore described and, therefore, it should be clearly understood that this inventionis not limited to .those forms shown and described in the accompanying drawings but rathenby the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a snap switch: a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, supporting means 7 one position to another.

said longer arm to 3.-Inf.a snap switch:

having apertures therein thruwhich the longer arm of the. said leaf spring is passed, means cooperating with saidv supportingmeans to cause assume a bowed configuration, a T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said longer arm is passed, the end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being fastened to. the head of the said contact support, means whereby "when pressure is exerted on the convex side of said bow causes said bowed arm to snap to an oppositely bowed position with great rapidity and force-and by the last named means provides a large throw from 2. In a snap switch: a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, a portion of the end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being narrower in what has been described hereinbefore having apertures therein thru which the longer arm of the said leaf spring is passed, means 00- operating with said supporting means to cause said longer arm to assume a bowed configuration, said means including apertures in said leaf spring for the insertion of pins to maintain said leaf spring in bowed configuraton between the said supporting means, a T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which saidJonger arm is passed, the narrow end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being fas- At this time, positened to the head of the said contact support, means whereby when pressure is exerted on the convex side of said bow causes said bowed arm to snap to'an oppositely bowed position with great rapidity and force.

4. In a snap switch: a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, a portion of the end of said spring being narrower in width than the overall width, spaced supporting means. having apertures therein thru which the longer arm of said leaf spring is passed, means cooperating with said supporting means to cause said longer arm. to assume a bowed configuration, a .T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said longer arm is passed, the narrow end of the shorter arm of said leaf springbeing fastened to the head of the said contact support, said contact support being a flat member, one end bent at rightangles to its plane surface, said bent portion having an aperture therein for the insertion of theshorter arm of the'sprin part of the opposite end of said flat ate the bent apertured fold, said apex of the member being folded back to' a point intermediend and the apex of the fold having an aperture therein on the underside of the head of said T- shaped contact support, thus providing means for fastening the narrow end of spring therein, said width than the overall width of the said'leaf spring, spaced supporting means comprising a flat elongated element angularly bent at-both ends to define two vertical supportcause said longer folded portion being again bent at right angles to the said intermediate point to, form the stem of the T and said stem having an aperture therein, thru which the passed and by the aforementioned means positions the contact support intermediate the spring I supporting means, and means whereby when pressure is with great rapidity and force.

5. In a snap switch: a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, spaced supporting means having apertures therein thru which the longer arm of the saidleaf spring is passed, means cooperating with said supporting means to arm to assume a bowed configuration, a T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said v longer arm is passedfthe end of the shorter arm assume a bowed configuration, a T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said longer arm is passed, the narrow end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being fastened to the head of the said contact support, means whereby when on the convex side of said how causes said bowed arm to snap to an oppositel bowed position with great rapidity and force.

generally J'-shaped' configuration, a portion of the end of 'saidspring being narrower in width than the overall width, spaced supporting means pressure is exerted- -a leaf spring having a I bowed configuration,

of said leaf spring being fastened to the head of the said contact support, and means for exertin pressure on the convex side of said bow in one direction said means including trigger-like element having a helical spring coacting to return the trigger element and bowed arm to their normal position.

6. In a snap switch: a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, spaced supporting means having apertures therein thru which the longer arm ofthe said leaf spring is passed,,means cooperating with said supporting means to cause said longer arm to assume a a T-shap'ed contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said longer arm is passed, the end of the longer arm of said spring is exerted on the convex side of' said bow causes said bowed arm to snap to an oppo-' sitely-bowed position shorter arm of said leaf spring being fastened to the head of the said contact support, and means operable by a toggle-like member to actuate the bowed spring member and cause same to snap to an oppositely bowed position with great rapidity and force.

7. In a snap action mechanism: a spring having a generally J-shaped configuration comprising a plurality of leaf-like members, spaced supporting means comprising a flat elongated element angularly bent at both ends to define two vertical supporting elements having apertures therein thru which the longer arm of said spring is passed, the plane surface of said spring member being positioned at right angles to the elongated plane surface 'of the supporting means, means cooperating with said supporting means to cause said longer arm to assume a bowed configuration, a T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said longer arm is passed, the end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being fastened to the head of said contact support, means whereby when pressure is exerted on the convex side of said bow causes said bowed arm to snap to an oppositely bowed position with great rapidity and force.

8. In a snap action mechanism: an elongated housing, a leaf spring member having a generally J-shaped configuration, spaced supporting means threaded member passing thru an aperture in the housing and screwed into the threaded aperture of the arch of the supporting means, means cooperating with said supporting means to cause the longer arm of said spring member to assume a bowed configuration, means operable by said threaded means and arched portion of the supporting means to alter the chord of said spring member and by such means to adjust the tension of the bowed spring member.

9. In a snap action mechanism: a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, spaced supporting means having apertures therein thru which the longer arm of the said leaf spring is passed, means cooperating with said supporting means to cause said longer arm to assume a bowed configuration, a T-shaped con- ,tact support having a wide rectangular aperture in the stern thereof thru which said longer arm is passed and by the last-named means positions the said contact support intermediate the supporting means, the end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being fastened to the head of the said contact support, means whereby when pressure is exerted on the convex side of said bow causes the bowed arm to strike one side of the aperture in the stem of the T-shaped contact support a sharp blow driving the said contact to an opposite position and conversely upon release of the pressure means the bowed arm strikes the other side of the aforesaid aperture and rapidly drives back the contact to its normal position.

10. In a snap action mechanism: ,a leaf spring having a generally J-shaped configuration, supporting means having apertures therein thru which the longer arm of said leaf spring is passed, means cooperating with said supporting means to cause said longer arm to assume a bowed configuration, a movable T-shaped contact support having an aperture in the stem thereof thru which said longer arm is passed and having a predetermined retracted position effected by action of said spring, the end of the shorter arm of said leaf spring being fastened to the head of said contact support,'actuating means for applying pressure to the free end of the bowed arm to causesaid arm to snap to an oppositely bowed position whereby the T-shaped contact support is moved from said first named position to a second position with a rapid snap action, and contact means for arresting movement of said support at second named position.

NORMAN L. HEIKES. 

